NT25 FASTSample

Day 18: Ephesians 3-Colossians 2

Jessica Martin, USM Second Year Student

“I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:18-19

As I have been focusing on these verses, God keeps taking me back to the beginning of our journey here to Dallas.

Two and a half years ago, our family of five left everything when the Lord told us to move to Dallas for an equipping season at UPPERROOM. God specifically told us not to work for three years while here. When the time came for us to move to Dallas, we couldn't find a place to live and ended up staying with my aunt in a small town in Kansas.

We were jobless, houseless, and all of our things were in storage. We looked crazy. Instead of taking Paul’s approach and being confident that God would give us everything we needed, I was filled with worry.

Looking back now, I wish I had believed that God was supplying our every need. That season in small-town Kansas would have been one of the sweetest. Our days were filled with going to the neighborhood pool, eating ice cream and burgers, and taking long walks in the country.

But I didn’t enjoy it because I was filled with anxiety and worry about the future.

We have now lived in Dallas for over two years and have never lacked what we needed. I still have to remind myself that God is not surprised by our needs or desires. He created us to need Him. I never want to waste another day not believing that God will supply not just some, but all of our needs.

I love how Paul describes the sacrifice he received from the church at Philippi as more than enough. He then goes on to tell the church that they will lack nothing as well. The Lord will do it again because of the riches in glory in Christ Jesus!

He is testifying, and the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10.)

I tell you a piece of our story today to align us with what the Lord has done over and over again throughout history and to say… Lord, do it again!

Prayer:

Lord, I am not crazy because I need You.
I would be crazy not to need You.
You are my good Shepherd,
and in the wilderness, You find me.

I lack no good thing.
I have received in full payment and more,
the riches of Christ Jesus.
And oh, how rich they are.

When there is lack,
it is never because You are lacking.
It is because my heart is lacking You.
I fill it with things of this world,
things that take up too much space and time,
leaving me with no rest.

I am not in control of my needs,
but I can control my need for You.

I repent for the days lost in worry,
the days lost in self-preservation.
And I thank You that my days of loss
are now days that You restore.
Nothing is ever lost with You.

Thank You, Jesus, that my needs keep me close to the supply,
and Your storehouses are full.

You are good,
and You have everything I need,
whatever that might look like.

I thank You, Jesus.
Amen.